A 9 February 2014 The Standard article by Tatenda Chitagu titled “RCZ Reverend Sued US$10 000 for Adultery” reports that the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) minister the Rev. Mernard Zvenyika of the RCZ’s Pamushana Mission in Bikita, Zimbabwe, is being sued for US$10,000 by Chezhira Mukobvu, who alleges Zvenyika has carried on a seven year sexual affair with Mukobvu’s wife that resulted in two aborted pregnancies and a breakdown of his marriage.

Zvenyika filed a counter-claim for the same amount alleging defamation.

The moderators have branded the plans as a “gross intrusion into family life” and “completely undermining of parental responsibilities (sic)”. They claim the bill would create a “snooper’s charter”.

A letter to First Minister Alex Salmond from the moderators says:

“We would be wary of the statutory appointment of a ‘named person’ for every under-18 in Scotland, especially given that this ‘named person’ will have legal authority to ensure our young people are raised in a state-approved manner.

“We do not doubt that the proposal is well-intentioned but we believe it to be fundamentally ill-conceived and liable to cause needless hurt and alarm to conscientious parents when their views conflict with the opinions of the state appointed ‘nanny’.”

Former Moderator the Rev. James MacIver, minister of Knock Free Church on the Isle of Lewis, said:

“We want the very best for all Scotland’s children and are fully supportive of the Scottish Government’s intention to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children, but this does not warrant such a gross intrusion into every home in the country.

“Surely the Scottish Government would be better investing in more community nurses and social workers to provide help at a grassroots level for those who are really struggling?

“The very concept of ‘corporate parents’ sets alarm bells ringing and is something becoming of a Big Brother state.”

Former Moderator the Rev. Dr. John Ross, who ministers in Drumnadrochit, added:

“The Scottish Government now seems intent on hijacking the legitimate rights and duties of parents to bring up their own children free of state interference.

“If this legislation is not amended, the Scottish Government will make itself the judge of every parent in this land.

“Historically, the Free Church of Scotland has always fought to be independent of state interference in all of its spiritual affairs – this does not stop at the church door on a Sunday, it goes right into the heart of the family home.”

Ross claims that “too much power” would be given to the discretion of professionals, some of whom have never raised a family of their own and many of whom are already stretched to the limit.

Ross added:

“There is also a very real possibility that this legislation could be used as a backdoor means to completely undermine parental values, judgment and discretion for their own children.

“It does not take a rocket scientist to foresee the potential for future conflict between Christian parents and the secular political correctness brigade.

“This is the sort of thing we would expect in a Fascist or Marxist regime, not in 21st century Scotland.

“We urge Mr. Salmond to do everything in his power to get rid of this snooper’s charter and restore some common sense.”